Method and apparatus for automatically changing operating modes in a mobile device

ABSTRACT

A method and system for automatically changing the operating mode of a mobile device in response to changes in positioning or the use of the device includes multiple sensors that provide information relating to the mobile device and its environment. The sensors determine positioning information, incident light intensity, and object proximity and detect the presence of a pointer device. The system monitors the sensors and applications executed by the operating system. Based on the monitoring, the system changes the operating mode of the mobile device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/346,770, entitled “CONTROLLING METHOD AND SYSTEMFOR HANDHELD COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND RECORDING MEDIUM USING THE SAME,”filed on Dec. 31, 2008, which is assigned to the same assignee as thepresent application and is hereby incorporated by reference. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/346,770 claims priority to Taiwan ApplicationNo. 097150126, filed Dec. 22, 2008, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

As mobile technology improves, mobile devices have become smaller andmore powerful. The wireless networks they connect to have improved, aswell. These improvements now enable mobile devices to connect tonetworks for many functions beyond simple voice calling. For example,they can be used to send e-mail, browse the Internet, and send instantmessages. Many devices also include a global positioning system (GPS)receiver with integrated mapping (or maps downloaded from a network). Insome cases, the mobile devices support wireless standards providinglocal connectivity, such as Bluetooth or IEEE802.11. These standards canenable the device to connect to a wireless local area network (WLAN) oreven communicate with other mobile devices in a peer-to-peer mode.Unfortunately, usability has not kept pace with these increasedcapabilities. As technology improves, it would be useful to have methodsfor automating common tasks to enable mobile devices to better make useof the increased capabilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a mobile device suitable for implementing amode changing system.

FIG. 2 is a network diagram of a representative environment in which themode changing system operates.

FIG. 3 is a high-level block diagram showing an example of thearchitecture of a mobile device.

FIG. 4A is a logical block diagram of the mode changing system.

FIG. 4B illustrates a circuit suitable for using electricalcharacteristics to detect that a pointer module is present.

FIG. 4C illustrates a circuit suitable for using mechanicalcharacteristics to detect that a pointer device is present.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for automatically modifying theoperating mode of the mobile device when an incoming call is received.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a process for automatically modifyingthe operating mode of the mobile device during a telephone call based onsensor information.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a process for automatically modifyingthe operating mode of the mobile device during a telephone call based ona non-voice use of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method and system for automatically changing the operating mode of amobile device in response to changes in the positioning or the use ofthe device is disclosed (hereinafter referred to as the “mode changingsystem” or the “system”). The mobile device includes multiple sensorsthat provide information relating to the mobile device and itsenvironment, such as positioning information, intensity of incidentlight, and object proximity. The system monitors the sensors andapplications executed by the operating system. Based on the monitoring,the system changes the operating mode of the mobile device.

In one configuration, the system monitors the mobile device during anincoming call. If the system detects an object in front of the deviceduring the incoming call, it changes the operating mode by temporarilymuting the ringer component or changing the device to a silent mode or avibrate-only mode. Similarly, during a telephone call, the system maydetect if the mobile device is moved to a position faced downward. Inresponse, the system may automatically change the mode of the mobiledevice from a standard telephone operating mode to a speakerphone mode.The mobile device may also automatically change the operating mode inresponse to certain types of user interaction, such as when a useractivates a mobile application or removes a pointer device from a holderassociated with the mobile device.

Various embodiments of the application will now be described. Thefollowing description provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding and an enabling description of these embodiments. Oneskilled in the art will understand, however, that the application may bepracticed without many of these details. Additionally, some well-knownstructures or functions may not be shown or described in detail, so asto avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description of the variousembodiments. The terminology used in the description presented below isintended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, eventhough it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description ofcertain specific embodiments of the application.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a mobile device 100 suitable for implementinga mode changing system. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile device 100 mayinclude a housing 101, a plurality of push buttons 102, a directionalkeypad 104 (e.g., a five-way key), a microphone 105, a speaker 106, anda display 110 carried by the housing 101. The mobile device 100 may alsoinclude other microphones, transceivers, photo sensors, and/or othercomputing components generally found in PDA phones, cellular phones,smartphones, or other mobile communication devices.

The display 110 may include a liquid-crystal display (LCD), a plasmadisplay, a vacuum fluorescent display, a light-emitting diode (LED)display, a field emission display, and/or other suitable types ofdisplay configured to present a user interface. The mobile device 100may also include a touch sensing component 109 configured to receiveinput from a user. For example, the touch sensing component 109 mayinclude a resistive, capacitive, infrared, surface acoustic wave (SAW),and/or another type of touch screen. The touch sensing component 109 maybe integrated with the display 110 or may be independent from thedisplay 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the touch sensing component109 and the display 110 have generally similar sized access areas. Inother embodiments, the touch sensing component 109 and the display 110may have different sized access areas. For example, the touch sensingcomponent 109 may have an access area that extends beyond a boundary ofthe display 110.

The mobile device 100 may also include a camera 108 suitable for takingpictures or recording video. The camera 108 includes an optical imagesensor and a lens, and may also have a flash associated with it fortaking pictures in low-light conditions. Although the camera 108 isshown on the front face of the mobile device 100, the camera 108 couldalso be located on the rear face of the device. Alternatively, themobile device 100 might be configured with multiple cameras, such aswith a first camera on the front face and a second camera on the backface.

In certain embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the camera 108 andthe touch sensing component 109, the mobile device 100 can also includesensor components such as a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor,and/or other types of sensors (not shown) independent from or integratedinto the display 110. For example, the mobile device 100 can include athermocouple, a resistive temperature detector, and/or other types oftemperature sensors proximate to the display 110 for measuring atemperature of an input mechanism, the display 110, and/or the touchsensing component 109.

The mobile device 100 may also include one or more sensors for receivinginformation about the environment nearby the device. The mobile device100 may include a light sensor configured to detect a level of intensityof light incident to the mobile device. The light sensor may be located,for example, behind the display 100, such that the light sensor candetermine the intensity of light incident on the display 100. The mobiledevice 100 may also include a proximity sensor configured to detectobjects in proximity to the mobile device 100 without the objects makingphysical contact with the mobile device 100. The proximity sensor maydetect objects by emitting an electrostatic or electromagnetic field andmonitoring the behavior of the generated field over a period of time.Thus, an object near the device will change the generated field as theobject approaches the proximity sensor. The mobile device 100 may alsoinclude a positioning sensor configured to provide information about theposition and orientation of the mobile device 100. The positioningsensor may be, for example, a G sensor (or other sensor using one ormore accelerometers) configured to determine the current orientation ofthe mobile device, such as whether the device is being held in aportrait or landscape position.

FIG. 2 is a network diagram of a representative environment 200 in whichthe mode changing system operates. A plurality of mobile devices 202roam in an area covered by a wireless network. The mobile devices are,for example, cellular phones or mobile Internet devices, such as themobile device 100 shown in FIG. 1. The mobile devices 202 communicate toa cellular transceiver 210 through wireless connections 206. Thewireless connections 206 could be implemented using any system fortransmitting digital data. For example, the connection could use acellular network implementing GSM, UMTS, or CDMA2000 or a non-cellularnetwork implementing WiFi (IEEE 802.11) or Bluetooth. Although wirelessconnections are most common for these mobile devices, the devices mayalso communicate using a wired connection such as Ethernet.

In some configurations, a mobile device 202 may also have a GPS receiverembedded in it to provide location information. In these configurations,the mobile device 202 also receives a location signal 208 from one ormore GPS satellites 204. For clarity, the figure only shows onesatellite. However, a GPS receiver generally requires several satellitesin order to determine its location. Alternatively or additionally, thecellular transceiver 210 may, with assistance from the mobile device202, employ known signal triangulation and/or signal delay techniques todetermine a location for each wireless device.

The cellular transceiver 210 is connected to one or more networks thatprovide backhaul service for the wireless network. The cellulartransceiver 210 is connected to the Public-Switched Telephone Network(PSTN) 212, which provides a connection between the mobile network and aremote telephone 216 on another network. When the user of the mobiledevice 202 makes a voice telephone call, the cellular transceiver 210routes the call through the wireless network's voice backhaul (notshown) to the PSTN 212. The PSTN 212 then automatically connects thecall to the remote telephone 216. If the remote telephone 216 is anothermobile device, the call is routed through a second wireless networkbackhaul to another cellular transceiver.

The cellular transceiver 210 is also connected to the Internet 214,which provides a packet-based connection to remote devices 218, whichsupport network applications. When the user of the mobile device 202communicates through a data connection, the cellular transceiver 210routes the packet data through the wireless network's data backhaul (notshown) to the Internet 214 (or another packet-based network). TheInternet 214 connects the wireless network to remote devices 218, whichincludes an e-mail server 220, a web server 222, and an instantmessenger server 224. Of course, the remote devices 218 may include anyapplication available over the Internet, such as a file transferprotocol (FTP) server or a streaming media server.

FIG. 3 is a high-level block diagram showing an example of thearchitecture of a mobile device 300. The mobile device 300 may representa mobile device 202 of FIG. 2.

The mobile device 300 includes processor(s) 302 and a memory 304 coupledto an interconnect 306. The interconnect 306 shown in FIG. 3 is anabstraction that represents any one or more separate physical buses,point-to-point connections, or both, connected by appropriate bridges,adapters, or controllers. The interconnect 306, therefore, may include,for example, a system bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)family bus, a HyperTransport or Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)bus, a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) bus, a Universal SerialBus (USB), IIC (I2C) bus, or an Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) standard 1394 bus, sometimes referred to as “Firewire.”

The processor(s) 302 may include central processing units (CPUs) of themobile device 300 and, thus, control the overall operation of the mobiledevice 300. In certain embodiments, the processor(s) 302 accomplish thisby executing software or firmware stored in the memory 304. Theprocessor(s) 302 may be, or may include, one or more programmablegeneral-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors, digital signalprocessors (DSPs), programmable controllers, application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or thelike, or a combination of such devices.

The memory 304 is, or includes, the main memory of the mobile device300. The memory 304 represents any form of fixed or removable randomaccess memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, or the like,or a combination of such devices. In use, the memory 304 stores, amongother things, an operating system 308 of the mobile device 300.

The mobile device 300 includes an input device 312, which enables a userto control the device. The input device 312 may include a keyboard,trackpad, touch-sensitive screen, or other standard computer inputdevice. The mobile device 300 also includes a display device 314suitable for displaying a user interface, such as the display 110 (FIG.1). The network adapter 316 provides the mobile device 300 with theability to communicate with remote devices over a network and may be,for example, a wireless adapter. The mobile device 300 may furtherinclude local storage 310 coupled to the interconnect 306. The localstorage 310 may include, for example, a flash memory device configuredto provide mass storage.

FIG. 4A is a logical block diagram of a mode changing system 400. Thesystem 400 may be executed, for example, using the memory andprocessor(s) of FIG. 3. Although the various modules are depicted in asingle device, the modules are not necessarily physically collocated. Insome embodiments the various modules may be distributed over multiplephysical devices. Similarly, the data storage could be implemented usinglocal storage components, such as a hard drive or flash memory, or usingremote storage, such as a web server accessible through the Internet.The code to support the functionality of this system may be stored on acomputer readable medium such as an optical drive, flash memory, or ahard drive. Aspects of the system 400 may be implemented as software,firmware, hardware, or as a combination of these.

The system 400 includes a processing component 402, which is configuredto monitor sensor data and change the mode of the mobile device based onchanges detected in the sensor data. The processing component 402 isconnected to a data storage component 404, which stores configurationand settings information related to the system 400. The storedinformation may include, for example, evaluation thresholds andinformation defining the changes to implement when the system changesthe mode of the device.

The processing component 402 is connected to multiple sensor components405. The sensor components 405 include a light sensor 406, which isconfigured to detect a level of light incident on the mobile device. Thelight sensor 406 may be a dedicated light intensity sensor or may uselight intensity data received from a camera component (e.g., the camera108 of FIG. 1). The processing component 402 is also connected to aproximity sensor 408, which is configured to detect objects that arenear the mobile device but not within physical contact. The processingcomponent 402 is also connected to a positioning sensor 410. Thepositioning sensor 410 uses acceleration information or other locationinformation to determine a current position or orientation of the mobiledevice. The positioning sensor 410 may include, for example, one or moreaccelerometers configured to determine the direction of acceleration dueto gravity. Thus, when the device is at rest (i.e., in the absence ofother acceleration), the positioning sensor 410 provides data that canbe used to determine which direction the front of the device is facing.

The sensor components 405 also include a pointer detector sensor 412,which is configured to detect a pointer device (e.g., a stylus) in aholder associated with the mobile device. The pointer detector sensor412 may use any method known in the art to detect the pointer device.For example, FIG. 4B illustrates a simple circuit 440 suitable for usingelectrical characteristics to detect when a pointer device is present,although more complex detectors may be employed. Two wires 446 and 448are electrically connected to a pointer device holder 444. The wires 446and 448 are connected so that when a pointer device 442 is inserted intothe pointer device holder 444, an electrical circuit is formedconnecting wire 446 to wire 448. The wires 446 and 448 are connected toa meter 450, which is configured to measure the resistance, capacitance,inductance, or other impedance in the circuit including wires 446 and448. If the pointer device holder 444 does not contain the pointerdevice 442, the meter 450 will detect an infinite resistance (oralternatively, a high capacitance). If a pointer device is present, themeter 450 will detect a measurable resistance (or a much smallercapacitance). The meter 450 provides the measured value to a thresholdcomparison component 452, which compares the measured value to athreshold value. The threshold comparison component 452 then determinesthat a pointer device 442 is inserted when the measured value surpassesthe threshold value. The threshold comparison component 452 can beconfigured with thresholds that are determined theoretically orexperimentally. Of course, the circuit 440 can also be configured to usea combination of resistance, capacitance, inductance, or other impedanceto detect the pointer device 442.

Alternatively, FIG. 4C illustrates a circuit 460 suitable for usingmechanical characteristics to detect that a pointer device is present.The pointer device holder 444 includes a button 462 or similarmechanical component connected to a mechanical or electromechanicalswitch 464. The switch 464 is connected to the terminals of a detector466. When the pointer device 442 is not present, the switch 464 is openand no current can flow between the terminals of the detector 466. Whenthe pointer device 442 is inserted, it presses the button 462, whichcloses the switch 464 and creates a closed circuit between theterminals. Thus, the detector 466 determines that the pointer device 442is inserted when the circuit is closed.

Returning to FIG. 4A, the processing component 402 is also connected tomultiple input and output components. In particular, the processingcomponent 402 is connected to an input component 414, which isconfigured to receive control input from the user. The input component414 may include, for example, a touch sensitive screen or a hardwarekeyboard. The processing component 402 is also connected to a microphone416, which is configured to receive sound from the environment, such asa user's voice. The microphone 416 may provide variable sensitivity thatcan be controlled by the processing component 402. The system 400 alsoincludes a display component 418 (e.g. the display 110 of FIG. 1), whichis configured to display output from the system. The system 400 alsoincludes a ringer component 420 and a vibration component 422, whichprovide notifications to the user of incoming calls, new messages, etc.The system also includes a speaker component 424, which outputs soundproduced by the mobile device. The system may control the speakercomponent 424 to produce multiple volume levels. The mobile device mayalso include multiple speakers suitable for use in differentconfigurations. For example, the mobile device may provide alower-volume speaker suitable for use when the device is operating in astandard telephone mode and a higher-volume speaker suitable for usewhen the device is operating in a speakerphone mode.

The processing component 402 includes a call monitor component 426,which is configured to monitor the status of telephone calls made by themobile device. For example, the call monitor component 426 may determinewhen a new telephone call has been received from a remote device or whena new telephone call has been initiated by the mobile device. The callmonitor component 426 may also monitor the device to determine whetherthe device is participating in an ongoing telephone call and whether atelephone call has been terminated. The call monitor component 426 maydetermine the status information by periodically polling the device todetermine current call status or by receiving event notifications (e.g.,hardware or software interrupts) providing status information.

The processing component 402 includes a sensor monitor component 428,which is configured to receive and aggregate information received fromthe sensor components 405. As discussed below with reference to FIGS.5-7, the sensor monitor component 428 evaluates the sensor data andinitiates changes to the mobile device's operating mode based on theresults of the evaluation. The processing component 402 also includes anapplication monitor component 430, which is configured to similarlymonitor software applications that are executed by the mobile device.The application monitor component 430 may detect when the mobile devicelaunches or terminates particular applications. The application monitorcomponent 430 may also detect when the user executes a specific functionwithin a selected application. The application monitor component 430 maythen initiate changes to the mobile device's operating mode based on theapplication information. The application monitor component 430 monitorsapplications by polling the operating system or by receiving eventnotifications from the operating system when an application is activatedor terminated. The processing component 402 also includes a settingscomponent 432, which is configured to manage system settings.

The processing component 402 includes a mode control component 434,which is configured to execute changes to the mobile device's operatingmode as directed by the sensor monitor component 428 or the applicationmonitor component 430. The specific changes to be executed may beconfigured according to settings that are stored by the settingscomponent 432. The mode control component 434 interfaces with varioushardware and software components in order to execute changes to themobile device's operating mode. For example, the mode control component434 may direct a speakerphone control component 436 to enable or disablethe speakerphone mode of the mobile device. Controlling the speakerphonemode may include disabling the lower-volume speaker used during standardtelephone mode and enabling a higher-volume speaker suitable for usewhen the user is farther away from the speaker. Alternatively, thespeakerphone control component 436 may change the volume of a selectedspeaker or increase the sensitivity of the microphone 416. The modecontrol component 434 may also direct a ringer control component 438 tochange the mode of the ringer component 420 and the vibration component422. This may include, for example, temporarily muting the ringercomponent 420 or changing the device to a silent mode (by deactivatingthe ringer component 420) or a vibrate-only mode (by deactivating theringer component 420 and enabling the vibration component 422).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process 500 for automatically modifying theoperating mode of the mobile device when an incoming call is received.The process 500 begins in block 502, where the call monitor component426 detects that the mobile device is receiving an incoming telephonecall. In response to receiving the incoming call, the mobile deviceprovides a user notification, such as an audible notification or avibration. The system then proceeds to block 504, where it handles userinput. This may include, for example, the user providing a command toanswer, mute, or ignore the incoming call.

Processing then proceeds to block 506, where the sensor monitorcomponent 428 determines the initial state of the device. The systemdetermines the initial state by receiving data from one or more of thesensor components 405. The initial state is used as a baseline for latercomparison in order to detect changes. The processing in block 506 mayinclude determining the initial position of the device based on thepositioning sensor 410. The system may also determine the initial levelof light incident to the device (using the light sensor 406) and detectobjects already in proximity to the mobile device (using the proximitysensor 408).

After determining the initial state of the device, processing proceedsto block 508, where the system monitors the sensor components 405.During the monitoring step, the system compares data from the sensorcomponents 405 to the initial state that was determined in step 506.This may include comparing current positioning information to theinitial positioning information in order to detect a change in thedevice's position. The system may also compare current incident lightintensity to the initial light intensity to detect a change inbrightness of incident light that may indicate, for example, that anobject has moved between the mobile device and the light source.Similarly, the system may compare current proximity information to theinitial proximity information to detect if a new object has moved intoproximity to the mobile device.

The system then proceeds to decision block 510, where it determines ifthe device has moved to a position facing upward. This may be used, forexample, to detect if the device has been placed face-up on a desk ortable. In one implementation, the system may determine that the devicehas moved to an upward-facing position when the initial positioninginformation indicated that the device was facing in another direction(e.g., downward) and the current positioning information indicates thatthe device is facing upward. In particular, the system may useaccelerometers or a G sensor to detect changes in the orientation of themobile device indicating whether the device has changed to facingupward. Alternatively, the system may be configured simply to determineif the device is currently in an upward-facing position, regardless ofthe initial position.

If the system determines that the device is in an upward-facing position(or has moved to an upward-facing position), processing proceeds todecision block 512, where the system determines if the device has movedto face toward an object (e.g., a table, a user's hand, etc.). If thedevice is placed facing an object (or an object is moved to be inproximity of the front of the device), the system may infer that theuser intends to ignore the incoming call. In some implementations, thesystem uses the proximity sensor to detect an object near the device andcompares the proximity data to the initial proximity data to determineif the object was placed in proximity after the telephone call wasreceived. Alternatively, the system may use the light sensor to detectan object by comparing the initial incident light intensity to theincident light intensity at a later time. If the intensity drops by asignificant amount, the system may then determine that the device isfacing toward an object. The system may be configured with variousthresholds to configure object detection. For example, the system mayinclude a threshold where an object is detected if the intensity ofincident light drops by over 50 percent.

If the system determined in block 510 that the device had not been movedto face upward or if the system determined in block 512 that the devicewas not facing an object, the system then determines that the operatingmode of the mobile device does not need to be modified and the process500 ends. Otherwise, processing proceeds to block 514, where the systemchanges the device's operating mode. In particular, the system may beconfigured to infer from the sensor data that the user does not want toreceive the incoming telephone call. In response, the system reduces theattention drawn by the mobile device by, for example, muting the ringercomponent 420 of the mobile device. Alternatively, the system may changethe operating mode of the device to a silent mode or a vibrate-onlymode.

In an alternate configuration, the system may be configured to changethe operating mode based only on the second test in decision block 512.In this configuration, the system changes the operating mode when anobject is placed in proximity to the front of the mobile device, even ifthe device is not facing downward. In this configuration, a user maychange the operating mode when a call is received by simply placing ahand or an object in front of the mobile device. The system may also beconfigured to detect other positions of the device in decision block510. For example, the system may instead determine if the mobile devicehas moved to face downward.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a process 600 for automaticallymodifying the operating mode of the mobile device during a telephonecall based on sensor information. The system begins processing in block602, where the mobile device initiates a new telephone call with aremote device. Initiating a new telephone call may include providinginformation to the network to request a connection to the remote mobiledevice. The system may monitor the mobile device according to theprocess 600 even before the connection to the remote device iscompleted, such as while the remote telephone is still ringing (referredto herein as an out-going ringing state).

After the call is initiated, processing proceeds to block 604, where thesystem determines the initial state of the mobile device. As in theprocess 500 of FIG. 5, this step may include determining the initialstate by receiving data from one or more of the sensor components 405.Thus, the system may determine the initial position of the mobile deviceand initial incident light intensity. The system may also detect ifthere are objects already in proximity to the mobile device.

The system then proceeds to block 606, where it monitors the sensorcomponents 405 to detect changes that would indicate a need for a changein operating mode. In general, the process 600 detects a similar set ofchanges to the process 500, including detecting whether the device hasbeen moved to face downward (in decision block 608) and detectingwhether the device has been moved to face an object (in decision block610). The processing in these steps may be executed in a similar mannerto the related steps in process 500. In addition, the system may alsodetermine if the mobile device is stable (see decision block 612). Thismay include, for example, using the sensor components 405 to detect thatthe device does not change position or direction during a specifiedperiod of time. For example, the system may use the G sensor to measureacceleration at regular intervals and determine that the mobile deviceis stable if there is no acceleration during multiple successivemeasurements over the specified period of time. In particular, thesystem may be configured to determine that the mobile device is stableif three successive measurements taken 200 ms apart indicate that thedevice is not moving. Alternatively, the mobile device may use the lightsensor to detect changes in incident light intensity indicating motion.For example, the system may determine that the device is stable if theincident light intensity varies by a small amount (e.g., less than 10%)over the specified period of time.

Processing then proceeds to block 614, where the system changes theoperating mode of the mobile device. In this step, the system may changethe operating mode of the device to enable the device to function as aspeakerphone. This may include, for example, increasing the volume of aspeaker in the mobile device, increasing the sensitivity of themicrophone, or automatically changing the operating mode to apre-configured speakerphone mode.

After changing the operating mode, or if the system has determined thatthe mode should not be changed, the system proceeds to decision block616, where it determines if the telephone call is active. If thetelephone call remains active, the system returns to block 606 tocontinue the monitoring process. If the telephone call has ended, theprocess 600 exits.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the process 600 may bemodified in various ways. For example, the process 600 may omit decisionblock 610, so that the system changes the operating mode if the mobiledevice is placed facing downward, regardless of whether the device isalso facing an object. The process 600 may also be reversed if themobile device is already operating in a speakerphone mode. In thereversed process, the system monitors the sensor components 405 in asimilar loop, but is configured to exit the speakerphone mode if thedevice is moved to a position where it is not facing downward or is notfacing an object. The system may also be modified to enable automaticmode-changing during selected types of telephone calls. For example, thesystem may be configured to automatically change modes only when themobile device is participating in a call with multiple remote devices(e.g., a multi-party call, or a conference call).

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a process 700 for automaticallymodifying the operating mode of the mobile device during a telephonecall based on non-voice use of the device. The process 700 is used tochange the operating mode (e.g., to speakerphone mode) when the userperforms an action that requires taking the device away from the user'sface during a telephone call, such as activating a notepad applicationon the mobile device. The system begins processing in block 702, wherethe mobile device begins a new telephone call with a remote device.

After the system detects that a new telephone call has been initiated,processing proceeds to block 704, where the system determines thecurrent state of the mobile device. This step may include, for example,determining a list of applications currently active on the mobile deviceto determine the initial level of activity for the device. This step mayalso include detecting the initial physical configuration of the mobiledevice, such as determining if a pointer device (e.g., a stylus) iscurrently in a holder associated with the mobile device.

The system then proceeds to block 706, where it monitors the activity ofthe mobile device, such as the running applications and the status ofthe pointer device. As discussed above with reference to FIG. 4A, thesystem may monitor applications by polling the operating system or byreceiving event notifications from the operating system when anapplication is activated or terminated. The system may determine if thepointer device is present using mechanical or electrical methods, suchas the methods discussed above with reference to FIGS. 4B and 4C.

Processing then proceeds to decision block 708, where the systemdetermines if a new application has been activated by the user. In someconfigurations, this test is met only when the system determines that anapplication from a predetermined set of applications is activated. Forexample, the system in block 708 may attempt to detect if a notepad ormessaging application is activated but might ignore a contactsapplication or an Internet browser. If an application has not beenactivated, the system proceeds to decision block 710, where itdetermines if the pointer device has been removed from its holder. Thismay include, for example, determining if a pointer device, that wasinitially present, is not present at a later time during the call.

If the system detects a new application activated in decision block 708or determines in block 710 that the pointer device was removed,processing proceeds to block 712, where the system changes the mode ofthe mobile device in response to the detected change. Based on thedetected changes, the system may infer that the user will be using themobile device for input purposes. Thus, the system may automaticallychange the operating mode from the standard telephone operating mode tothe speakerphone mode in order to enable the user to continue thetelephone call even while using the device for other purposes. Afterchanging the operating mode, the system returns to block 706 to continuemonitoring.

If the system does not detect any changes, processing proceeds to block714, where it determines if the telephone call is active. If thetelephone call remains active, the system returns to block 706 tocontinue monitoring the mobile device. If the telephone call has ended,the process 700 exits.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but that various modifications may be made without deviating from thespirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is notlimited except as by the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for automatically changing an operating mode of a mobiledevice, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a form factorsuitable for hand-held use, wherein the housing has a front face and aback face; a call notification component contained in the housingconfigured to provide an incoming call notification in response to anincoming telephone call, wherein the incoming call notificationcomprises an audible component; one or more sensor components containedin the housing configured to provide information associated with thephysical environment of the mobile device; a memory contained in thehousing; and a processor contained in the housing and coupled among thecall notification component, the one or more sensor components, and thememory; wherein the processor is configured to execute variouscomponents, wherein the components comprise: a call monitor componentconfigured to receive a notification of the incoming telephone call; asensor monitor component configured to monitor, while a telephone callis incoming, the one or more sensor components to detect an objectplaced in proximity to the front face of the mobile device; and a modecontrol component configured to automatically change the operating modeof the mobile device in response to the detection of the object placedin proximity to the front face of the mobile device, wherein changingthe operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing at least theaudible component of the incoming call notification.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein: the one or more sensor components comprises a G sensorconfigured to provide positioning information associated with a positionof the mobile device; and the sensor monitor component is furtherconfigured to: when detecting the object placed in proximity to thefront face of the mobile device, determine based on a set of positioninginformation whether the orientation of the mobile device is in a face-upstate, wherein the face-up state exists when the front face of themobile device is facing in a upward direction, wherein changing theoperating mode comprises changing the operating mode in response todetecting the object and determining that the orientation of the mobiledevice is in the face-up state.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theone or more sensor components comprises a G sensor configured to providepositioning information associated with a position of the mobile device;the sensor monitor component is further configured to determine a firstset of positioning information from the G sensor at a first time;determine a second set of positioning information from the G sensor at asecond time, wherein the second time occurs after the first time;compare the first set of positioning information and the second set ofpositioning information; and determine based on the comparison whetherthe orientation of the mobile device has changed to a face-down state,wherein the face-down state exists when the front face of the mobiledevice is facing in a downward direction; and wherein changing theoperating mode comprises changing the operating mode in response to thedetection of the object and determining that the orientation of themobile device has changed to a face-down state.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more sensor components comprises a proximitysensor and wherein detecting an object comprises using the proximitysensor to determine if the object is within a specified distance fromthe front face of the mobile device.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the one or more sensor components comprises a light sensor anddetecting an object comprises: determining a first intensity level oflight incident on the front face of the mobile device; determining asecond intensity level of light incident on the front face of the mobiledevice; comparing the first intensity level of light incident on thefront face of the mobile device and the second intensity level of lightincident on the front face of the mobile device; and detecting theobject based on the comparison of the first intensity level and thesecond intensity level.
 6. A method for automatically changing anoperating mode of a mobile device, the mobile device having at least afront face and a back face, the method comprising: receiving anotification of an incoming telephone call; providing an incoming callnotification for the incoming telephone call to a user, wherein thenotification comprises an audible component; while providing theincoming call notification to the user, detecting the object placed inproximity to the front face of the mobile device; and automaticallychanging the operating mode of the mobile device in response todetecting the object placed in proximity to the front face of the mobiledevice, wherein changing the operating mode of the mobile devicecomprises changing at least the audible component of the incoming callnotification.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: whendetecting the object placed in proximity to the front face of the mobiledevice, determining based on a set of positioning information associatedwith a position of the mobile device whether the orientation of themobile device is in a face-up state, wherein the face-up state existswhen the front face of the mobile device is facing in a upwarddirection, wherein changing the operating mode comprises changing theoperating mode in response to detecting the object and determining thatthe orientation of the mobile device is in the face-up state.
 8. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising: determining a first set ofpositioning information associated with a position of the mobile deviceat a first time; determining a second set of positioning informationassociated with a position of the mobile device at a second time,wherein the second time occurs after the first time; comparing the firstset of positioning information and the second set of positioninginformation; and determining based on the comparison whether theorientation of the mobile has changed to a face-down state, wherein aface-down state exists when the front face of the mobile device isfacing in a downward direction, and wherein changing the operating modecomprises changing the operating mode in response to detecting theobject and determining that the orientation of the mobile device haschanged to the face-down state.
 9. The method of claim 6, whereindetecting the object comprises using a proximity sensor to determine ifthe object is within a specified distance from the front face of themobile device.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein detecting the objectcomprises: determining a first intensity level of light incident on thefront face of the mobile device; determining a second intensity level oflight incident on the front face of the mobile device; comparing thefirst intensity level of light incident on the front face of the mobiledevice and the second intensity level of light incident on the frontface of the mobile device; and detecting an object based on thecomparison of the first intensity level and the second intensity level.11. The method of claim 6, wherein automatically changing the operatingmode of the mobile device comprises changing the mobile device to asilent mode or a vibrate-only mode.
 12. The method of claim 6, whereinautomatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device comprisesmuting the audible component of the incoming call notification.
 13. Amethod for automatically changing an operating mode of a mobile device,the mobile device having at least a front face and a back face, themethod comprising: establishing a telephone call between the mobiledevice and a remote device; during the telephone call between the mobiledevice and the remote device, determining a first set of positioninginformation associated with a position of the mobile device at a firsttime; during the telephone call between the mobile device and the remotedevice, determining a second set of positioning information associatedwith a position of the mobile device at a second time, wherein thesecond time occurs after the first time; comparing the first set ofpositioning information and the second set of positioning information;determining whether the position of the mobile device has changedbetween a face-down state and a non-face-down state based on thecomparison, wherein a face-down state exists when the front face of themobile device is facing in a downward direction; and automaticallychanging the operating mode of the mobile device to a speakerphone modebased on the determination, wherein the operating mode changes while thetelephone call is in progress.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein theoperating mode of the mobile device changes while the mobile device isin an out-going ringing state.
 15. The method of claim 13, whereinestablishing the telephone call between the mobile device and the remotedevice comprises establishing a multi-party call between the mobiledevice and multiple remote devices.
 16. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: detecting whether the mobile device is stable, whereinchanging the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing theoperating mode based on both of the determination and on detecting themobile device is stable.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:during the telephone call between the mobile device and the remotedevice, detecting an object placed in proximity to the front face of themobile device; and wherein changing the operating mode of the mobiledevice comprises changing the operating mode based on the determinationand detection of the object placed in proximity to the front side of themobile device.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the firstset of positioning information comprises using a G sensor to determine afirst orientation of the mobile device and determining the second set ofpositioning information comprises using the G sensor to determine asecond orientation of the mobile device.
 19. The method of claim 13,wherein the first set of positioning information comprises a firstorientation of the mobile device, the second set of positioninginformation comprises a second orientation of the mobile device, anddetermining whether the position of the mobile device has changed to theface-down state comprises determining if the first orientation of themobile device indicates that the mobile device is in a non-face-downstate and if the second orientation of the mobile device indicates thatthe mobile device is in the face-down state.
 20. The method of claim 13,wherein automatically changing the operating mode of the mobile devicecomprises changing the volume of a speaker associated with the mobiledevice.
 21. The method of claim 13, wherein automatically changing theoperating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the sensitivityof a microphone associated with the mobile device.
 22. An apparatus forautomatically changing an operating mode of a mobile device, theapparatus comprising: a housing having a form factor suitable forhand-held use, wherein the housing has a front face and a back face; oneor more sensor components contained in the housing configured to provideinformation associated with the physical environment of the mobiledevice, wherein the one or more sensor components comprises apositioning sensor configured to provide positioning informationassociated with a position of the mobile device; a memory contained inthe housing; and a processor contained in the housing and coupled amongthe one or more sensor components, and the memory; wherein the processoris configured to execute various components, wherein the componentscomprise: a call monitor component configured to receive informationassociated with a telephone call between the mobile device and a remotedevice; a sensor monitor component configured to: during the telephonecall between the mobile device and the remote device, determine a firstset of positioning information from the positioning sensor at a firsttime; during the telephone call between the mobile device and the remotedevice, determine a second set of positioning information from thepositioning sensor at a second time, wherein the second time occursafter the first time; compare the first set of positioning informationand the second set of positioning information; and determine whether theposition of the mobile device has changed to a face-down state based onthe comparison, wherein a face-down state exists when the front face ofthe mobile device is facing in a downward direction; and a mode controlcomponent configured to automatically change the operating mode of themobile device to a speakerphone mode based on the determination, whereinthe operating mode changes while the telephone call is in progress. 23.The apparatus of claim 22, wherein: the sensor monitor component isfurther configured to determine whether the mobile device is stablebased on the one or more sensor components, wherein changing theoperating mode of the mobile device comprises changing the operatingmode based on the determination and on determining that the mobiledevice is stable.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein: the sensormonitor component is further configured to monitor the one or moresensor components to detect an object placed in proximity to the frontface of the mobile device; wherein changing the operating mode of themobile device comprises changing the operating mode based on thedetermination and on detecting the object placed in proximity to thefront side of the mobile device.
 25. The apparatus of claim 22, whereinthe one or more sensor components comprises a G sensor and determining afirst set of positioning information comprises using the G sensor todetermine a first orientation of the mobile device and determining asecond set of positioning information comprises using the G sensor todetermine a second orientation of the mobile device.
 26. The apparatusof claim 22, wherein automatically changing the operating mode of themobile device comprises ending the telephone call between the mobiledevice and the remote device.
 27. A method for automatically changing anoperating mode of a mobile device that is configured to communicateusing a wireless network, the method comprising: establishing atelephone call between the mobile device and a remote device; during thetelephone call between the mobile device and the remote device,monitoring the mobile device to detect the activation of a specifiedmobile application; automatically changing the operating mode of themobile device in response to the activation of the specified mobileapplication, wherein the operating mode is changed while the telephonecall is in progress.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein automaticallychanging the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing themobile device to a speakerphone mode.
 29. The method of claim 27,wherein the specified mobile application is a notepad application. 30.The method of claim 27, further comprising: receiving information from auser defining a set of high-priority mobile applications, whereindetecting the activation of the specified mobile application comprisesdetecting the activation of an application from the set of high-prioritymobile applications.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein monitoring themobile device comprises polling an operating system of the mobile deviceto determine if the specified mobile application has been activated. 32.The method of claim 27, wherein monitoring the mobile device comprisesreceiving an event notification from an operating system of the mobiledevice, wherein the event notification comprises information specifyingthat the specified mobile application has been activated.
 33. Anapparatus for automatically changing an operating mode of a mobiledevice, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a form factorsuitable for hand-held use; a memory contained in the housing; and aprocessor contained in the housing and coupled to the memory; whereinthe processor is configured to execute various components, wherein thecomponents comprise: a call monitor component configured to receiveinformation associated with a telephone call between the mobile deviceand a remote device; an application monitor component configured tomonitor the mobile device to detect the activation of a specified mobileapplication during the telephone call between the mobile device and theremote device; and a mode control component configured to automaticallychange the operating mode of the mobile device in response to theactivation of the specified mobile application, wherein the operatingmode is changed while the telephone call is in progress.
 34. Theapparatus of claim 33, wherein automatically changing the operating modeof the mobile device comprises changing the mobile device to aspeakerphone mode.
 35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the specifiedapplication is a notepad application.
 36. The apparatus of claim 33,wherein the application monitor component is configured to monitor themobile device by polling an operating system on the mobile device todetermine if the specified mobile application has been activated. 37.The apparatus of claim 33, wherein monitoring the mobile devicecomprises receiving an event notification from an operating system ofthe mobile device, wherein the event notification comprises informationindicating that the specified mobile application has been activated. 38.A method for automatically changing an operating mode of a mobiledevice, the method comprising: establishing a telephone call between themobile device and a remote device; during the telephone call between themobile device and the remote device, monitoring the mobile device todetect the removal of a pointer device from a holder associated with themobile device; and automatically changing the operating mode of themobile device based on whether the pointer device has been removed fromthe holder, wherein the operating mode is changed while the telephonecall is in progress.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein automaticallychanging the operating mode of the mobile device comprises changing themobile device to a speakerphone mode.
 40. An apparatus for automaticallychanging an operating mode of a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:a housing having a form factor suitable for hand-held use; a pointerholder contained in the housing; a memory contained in the housing; anda processor contained in the housing and coupled among the pointerholder and the memory; wherein the processor is configured to executevarious components, wherein the components comprise: a call monitorcomponent configured to receive information associated with a telephonecall between the mobile device and a remote device; a sensor monitorcomponent configured to monitor the mobile device to detect the removalof a pointer device from the pointer holder during the telephone callbetween the mobile device and the remote device; and a mode controlcomponent configured to automatically change the operating mode of themobile device in response to the removal of the pointer device from thepointer holder, wherein the operating mode is changed while thetelephone call is in progress.
 41. The apparatus of claim 40, whereinautomatically changing the operating mode of the mobile device compriseschanging the mobile device to a speakerphone mode.